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meaning with the particular combination of letters that form a word. In the other word, vocabulary is the competence or skill in recognizing
words and its meaning. Words are symbols, groups of letter that stand for, or represent, either a physical object or an idea. Then, recognizing
words means knowing its meaning or idea and how they are formed by a combination of letters. For example, the word chair in our minds a
physical reality, an object with a flat surface, usually supported by four legs, and used to for sitting. Then, the word love on the other hand, does
not represent a physical object. It symbolizes the feeling of one person toward another.
Based on Hatch and Brown, vocabulary deals with a series of words in particular language. Ur adds that vocabulary deals with word
taught in foreign language. Neuman and DawyerinBintz, also adds that vocabulary can be defined as words in speaking expressive vocabulary
and words in listening receptive vocabulary.”
5
Meanwhile, McWhorter states that vocabulary deals with the competence in recognizing words
and its meaning. Based on three definitions above, vocabulary can be constructed as a series of words in foreign language used to express
meaning. The words here are the symbols in form of groups of letter represent either a physical object or an idea. It can be formed from a
single or more than one word.
5
Bintz, “Teaching Vocabulary Across the Curriculum”, p. 44.
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In teaching vocabulary, a teacher needs to use proper technique in order to help the students have good understanding on new words
being learned. And in order to get a different teaching and learning environment. And also to make the students more interest in teaching
learning process of vocabulary mastery.
b. The Important of Vocabulary Mastery
Vocabulary is an important aspect in our life. It is because people need vocabulary in expressing their ideas both of in mother tongue and
foreign language. Tailor says that in order to live in the world, we must name objects. Names are essential for the construction of reality.
Without a name, it will be difficult to accept the existence of an object, an event, and a feeling.
6
Vocabulary always becomes the essential part of English as a foreign language. Every person who learns a language must learn the
vocabulary of the language in order to make the learning process easier. Without vocabulary mastery, learning a language becomes a very hard
thing to do and communication in second language cannot happen in any meaningful way.
In language learning, vocabulary plays an important role. Edge states that knowing a lot of words in foreign language are very
6
Linda Taylor, Teaching and Learning Vocabulary New York: Prentice Hall, 1999, p. 1.
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important.
7
Cross state that a good store of words is crucial for understanding and communication. A strong vocabulary can be a
valuable asset, both in college and later in our career.
8
According to the statement above, it can be concluded that vocabulary is very important in learning language and mastering
vocabulary will facilitate someone in using language in communication. Mastery is the knowing and understanding everything about
knowledge.
9
Moreover Cameron stated vocabulary skills included: pronunciation, spelling, grammar and meaning.
10
According to Swannel adopted by Larasati, mastery is comprehensive knowledge. From the
definition, mastery is wide; it covers all of the elements of knowledge.
11
It means that mastery is a comprehension about all of knowledge. Coulson et al define that mastery is skill, use, or knowledge. It
means mastery is the ability to use one of knowledge.
12
While Hornby says that mastery is the complete control or knowledge. Here, mastery is
7
Julian Edge, Essential of English Language Teaching London: Longman, 1993, p. 27.
8
David Cross, Practical Handbook of LAnguage Teaching Great Britain: The Bath Press, 1995, p. 14.
9
Heri Marzuki, “Improving Students’ Vocabulary Mastery by Using Pictures Media at the Third Grade of SDN 010 Kepenuhan”, Jurnal Ilmiah Mahasiswa FKIP Prodi Bahasa Inggris, vol. 1, no. 1
2015, p. 3, accessed 9 May 2016.
10
Lynne Cameron, Teaching Languages to Young Learners New York: Cambridge University Press, 2001, p. 78.
11
Larasati, “Improving Students’ Vocabulary Mastery Through Board Games A Classroom Action Research at the Fourth Grade of SDN Cengklik II Surakarta in 20092010 Academic Year”
JurnalIlmiah FKIP prodiPendidikan Bahasa Inggris, 2011, p. 12.
12
J. Culson et al., the New Oxford Encyclopedic Dictionary Singapore: Topan Printing Company, 1987, p. 1050.
